[169] Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus, not having been agreed upon (asammatā), questioned on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, one who has not been agreed upon should not question on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha; whoever should so question commits an offense of wrongdoing (dukkaṭa). Bhikkhus, I allow one who has been agreed upon to question on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha. And thus, bhikkhus, should the agreement be made: one may be agreed upon by oneself, or another may be agreed upon by another.
"And how is one agreed upon by oneself? The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha hear me. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, I would question so-and-so on the Vinaya.' Thus is one agreed upon by oneself.
"And how is another agreed upon by another? The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha hear me. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, so-and-so would question so-and-so on the Vinaya.' Thus is another agreed upon by another."
Now at that time well-behaved bhikkhus, having been agreed upon, questioned on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha. The group-of-six bhikkhus conceived resentment, conceived displeasure, and threatened them with blows. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow even one who has been agreed upon to question on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha only after surveying the assembly and weighing the person."
Now at that time the group-of-six bhikkhus, not having been agreed upon, answered on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, one who has not been agreed upon should not answer on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha; whoever should so answer commits an offense of wrongdoing. Bhikkhus, I allow one who has been agreed upon to answer on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha. And thus, bhikkhus, should the agreement be made: one may be agreed upon by oneself, or another may be agreed upon by another.
"And how is one agreed upon by oneself? The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha hear me. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, I, being questioned on the Vinaya by so-and-so, would answer.' Thus is one agreed upon by oneself.
"And how is another agreed upon by another? The Saṅgha should be informed by a competent and capable bhikkhu: 'Venerable sirs, let the Saṅgha hear me. If it is the right time for the Saṅgha, so-and-so, being questioned on the Vinaya by so-and-so, would answer.' Thus is another agreed upon by another."
Now at that time well-behaved bhikkhus, having been agreed upon, answered on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha. The group-of-six bhikkhus conceived resentment, conceived displeasure, and threatened them with blows. They reported this matter to the Blessed One. "Bhikkhus, I allow even one who has been agreed upon to answer on the Vinaya in the midst of the Saṅgha only after surveying the assembly and weighing the person."
English translation from the Pali (Siam Raṭṭha edition) — under review, not for citation.